Man Arrested After Stealing, Crashing Patrol Car

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX) – Twin Falls County sheriff deputies got more than they bargained for when they responded to a home about a mile east of Hollister early Wednesday morning.

According to a news release by the Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened just after midnight when deputies responded to “a suspicious incident and an open line (911) call.”

After the deputies arrived at the home, 30-year-old John Walker barricaded himself inside a bedroom. The man could have been experiencing medical symptoms, the family told deputies.

While a deputy was attempting to talk Walker out of the bedroom, he climbed out the window, gained entry into the locked patrol car, and left the scene.

Deputies pursued Walker for several miles before he lost control of the vehicle and crashed at the intersection of Foothill Road and 3150 East. Walker then fled on foot, according to the news release, but was eventually apprehended and taken by ground ambulance to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center where he was treated for injuries.

According to photos of the patrol car the Sheriff’s Office sent to NewsRadio1310, the airbag had deployed when Walker crashed the vehicle.

Idaho State Police investigated the accident, and charges of grand theft and felony eluding were filed against Walker.